Gangaben was born in Dungari in Pakistan. Her father was a farmer who married three times. Her mother was a midwife, as good as a doctor. Gangaben has 7 brothers and 2 sisters. She was named after a vow to Gangaji and she went to the Ganga with her father when she was 5. When Gangaben was very small the family migrated to India as refugees, and resettled in Tharad. When she was 14, Gangaben married in Sumrasar. Her husband is a construction contractor, and she has three sons, one of whom is married. Gangaben went to first grade, but learned to read and write much later in Kala Raksha classes. She learned embroidery from her friends. Early on, she worked in the museum committee and embroidered the replica of the abochhni for the Kala Raksha museum exhibition. She learned patchwork in a Kala Raksha workshop with Raniben Bhika. Through Kala Raksha exhibitions Gangaben has been to Delhi twice. The first time she was afraid, but the second time she enjoyed it.

Gangaben feels that a good artisan knows everything- including how to speak. She must be patient and peaceful. “My work speaks,” she says. She believes that their traditional art will flourish. We have art in our hands. We need new designs, she says. Gangaben’s mother in law started the course last year but could not complete it. This year, Gangaben came. Her wish is to learn and grow, so that everyone benefits.

After graduating, Gangaben has participated in workshops to develop new products based on Kala Raksha’s museum collections.